The
U.S. Women’s National Team earned a spot into next year’s FIVB World
Championship after topping Costa Rica 25-15, 25-9, 25-15 on Wednesday evening
in Orlando to finish the FIVB World Championship Qualification Tournament -
NORCECA Pool G with an undefeated 3-0 record.

“I
honestly think Costa Rica is a good team and better than when we last played
them at the Pan American Cup,” U.S. Head Coach Hugh McCutcheon said. “At the
same time, I think we are a better team. We went into tonight’s match with a
plan and executed it. We are happy that we have qualified for the World
Championships next year.”

The
U.S. was led by tournament most valuable player and Best Spiker (and Wilson
grad) Cynthia Barboza, who had matching 18 points in the match. Barboza tallied
16 kills as part of her totals. Long Beach State grads Danielle Scott-Arruda
contributed eight points, while fellow 49er Tayyiba Haneef-Park put down six
points.

“We
are trying to get better on each play,” Scott-Arruda said. “We are glad to be
on the medal stand here and qualified for the World Championship.”